VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Thanh Tam won the second stage of the Ben Tre Television Cycling Tournament while Mai Nguyen Hung stole the yellow jersey after yesterday's stage.

Cavalry charge: Cyclists compete in the second stage of the Ben Tre Television Cycling Tournament yesterday, Jan 8. Nguyen Thanh Tam won the stage.

Tam of An Giang Plant Protection finished the 92km leg in a time of 2hr 13.56min with an average speed of 41.215km/h.

The short stage was an invite for the faster racers to attack from the start, and it was Tam and five other cyclists who opened up an early lead after 15km.

Tran Nguyen Minh Tri of Domesco Dong Thap Pharmacy took the time trial points at the 50km mark to improve his chances in the race for the green jersey.

With 30km to go, the leading pack was reined in by HCM City's Eximbank team, including yellow jersey holder Duan.

The main peloton weren't far behind, but it was Tam who crossed the finish line in front to collect 25 points.

Eximbank's Mai Nguyen Hung was second and followed by teammate Truong Nguyen Thanh Nhan.

Hung's second place was enough to wrestle the overall lead away from teammate Le Van Duan.

Duan was pushed back into second place with Tam sitting in third.

Hung also shares the lead with Duan in the sprinters competition on 42 points.

In the team event Eximbank are flying high, followed by Domesco Dong Thap and An Giang.

Today, cyclists will race the 122km final stage around Ben Tre Province.

Source: VNS